Belmont Stakes 2020 Odds, Picks and Predictions
Written by B87FM on June 20, 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, which compelled organizers to maneuver the Kentucky Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5 and the Preakness from May 16 to Oct. 3, the Belmont Stakes will kick off the Triple Crown sequence for the primary time. The 152nd working of the race, originally scheduled for June 6, has been shortened from a mile and a half to a mile and an eighth. There will likely be no spectators or homeowners in attendance on Saturday.
The Belmont horses are listed so as of publish place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Occasions. The morning-line odds had been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Affiliation.
Purse: $1 million assured Distance: 1⅛ miles
Observe report: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)
Weight: 126 kilos
Publish time: Saturday at 5:42 p.m. Japanese
Easy methods to watch: NBC, broadcasting from 2:45 to six p.m.
Protection may also be streamed on NBC Sports Live.
Our Picks
Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Dr Publish, Tiz the Legislation, Modernist
Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Tiz the Legislation, Faucet It to Win, Modernist
Right here’s how we see the sphere:
1. Faucet It to Win
Coach: Mark Casse Jockey: John Velazquez Odds: 6-1
Drape: A really speedy kind who likes working from the entrance. He’s coming off two victories, however not in opposition to the likes of a few of these.
Hoppert: This late-blooming colt gained an allowance race by 5 lengths at Belmont two weeks in the past and will likely be ridden by a veteran who is aware of the best way to win on this observe. A strong upset decide.
2. Sole Volante
Coach: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Luca Panici Odds: 9-2
Drape: This late-running gelding is a rugged kind with 4 victories in six begins. He ought to have loads of tempo to chase.
Hoppert: He has gained 4 of six begins, together with an allowance race at Gulfstream solely 10 days earlier than the Belmont. How he responds is a little bit of an unknown, however he has the expertise and a powerful ending kick.
3. Max Participant
Coach: Linda Rice Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 15-1
Drape: This son of Honor Code has been patiently dealt with. That is solely his fourth lifetime race. He must get a complete lot sooner.
Hoppert: He has not raced since winning the Withers in February at Aqueduct, and whereas he has been coaching effectively, his working model appears higher suited to the race’s conventional distance.
4. Modernist
Coach: Invoice Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado Odds: 15-1
Drape: He has been working outstandingly within the mornings and has one in every of Belmont’s hottest jockeys aboard. He’s a contender at a value.
Hoppert: The winner of the Risen Star had a troubled journey in the Louisiana Derby in March and completed third. However he has gained two of his three begins this yr, each at a mile and an eighth.
5. Farmington Street
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 15-1
Drape: One other with a late kick who’s going to wish the tempo to break down to safe his second lifetime victory. Trying elsewhere for my trifecta.
Hoppert: He was second within the Oaklawn Stakes in April and most not too long ago was fourth within the second division of the Arkansas Derby in Could. He has an skilled crew, however will that be sufficient?
6. Fore Left
Coach: Doug O’Neill Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 30-1
Drape: Extra early pace right here by the use of California after a victory in Dubai at a mile. He’s exhausting to make a case for.
Hoppert: Successful is so much to ask after that lengthy a layoff. (He gained the UAE 2000 Guineas in February.)
7. Jungle Runner
Coach: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez Odds: 50-1
Drape: He misplaced his final two races by a mixed 40 lengths. Sufficient stated.
Hoppert: He hasn’t gained a race since November and completed eighth within the first division of the Arkansas Derby his final outing. Go.
8. Tiz the Legislation
Coach: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 6-5
Drape: He’s one of the best horse right here, and maybe anyplace, and easily blew by his rivals within the Florida Derby and the Holy Bull Stakes. Can I recover from my aversion to favorites? Nope.
Hoppert: Not solely is that this New York-bred, who won the Florida Derby by four and a quarter lengths in March, probably the most proficient of the bunch, however he additionally has sentimentality on his facet as his crew, of Humorous Cide fame, returns to the highlight. My decide (sorry, Joe, he’s too powerful to guess in opposition to).
9. Dr Publish
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-1
Drape: This late-developing stalker will likely be shifting with the favourite within the lane. I’m betting he offers him a run for his cash.
Hoppert: He has gained each of his begins this yr and has Belmont Park’s main jockey on his again, however is that this distance a difficulty?
10. Pneumatic
Coach: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Odds: 8-1
Drape: This Uncle Mo colt drained within the stretch in his final race. He will likely be out of it even earlier right here.
Hoppert: He sustained his first loss in three races, ending third within the Matt Winn in Could, however he confirmed some promise in opposition to stiffer competitors and appears to be bettering.